For Vultures, Slim Pickings

Newspaper chain Lee Enterprises Inc. is on the verge of saving itself from bankruptcy—and many of its debt holders are livid.

Lee, weighed down by about $1 billion of debt, has long been high on the list of potential bankruptcies. But thanks to the roaring market for debt of risky companies, Lee is preparing to sell junk bonds that would enable it to pay off its obligations and give it a new shot at survival.